Beyoncé's Makeup Artist Reveals The First Time He Met Her

Beyoncé's Makeup Artist Reveals The First Time He Met Her

We can barely hide our jealousy that Sir John gets to touch her face!

Published September 26th

Have you ever wondered how Beyoncé continues to look #flawless when she hits the red carpet and always seems to glow whenever she's on tour? A glam squad, of course!

We are very familiar with her top-notch fashion stylist Zerina Akers, who's behind her recent style slays. But her signature beauty beat over the past seven years is credited to makeup artist Sir John — and he's finally talking!

“I don’t think I am a household name — yet — but I think everyone started to know me when Beyoncé’s first visual album came out," Sir John shared recently with People Style.

"We were touring while we shot it and we would have 5 a.m. call times, wrap at 5 p.m., and then drive directly to the stadium in South America or Australia or New Zealand or wherever we were. When it came out, everyone had a new appreciation for what I do. But I still feel like I have such a long way to go."

On meeting Beyoncé for the first time:

“I met her at Tom Ford’s first womenswear show in 2010. Charlotte [Tilbury] introduced me to her, and was like, ‘I’m not gonna do her makeup, you’re gonna do her makeup.’ And I kind of freaked out! When I saw her for the first time, I thought, ‘You’re a real person. Oh my God, this is crazy.’ We’re the same age and I think we hit it off that day — but I always kept a really strong separation from my clients — I think that distance gives you longevity. I don’t think, ‘This is my friend.’ Even if I have been at parties that she invited me to, if I happen to have one glass of wine too many, I am slipping out the side door. I don’t want my client to see my tipsy. It’s about a level of respect.”

On how he got Bey's beauty looks together for touring:

“I looked at every show as my own personal editorial. I had a Pinterest folder full of looks for different cities we would go to. Like when we were in South America I was going to do this whole Bianca Jagger moment, and then when we went to another country I just wanted to make her look like Diana Ross. And she would be like, ‘Do what you want.’ And in those times that’s where we bonded on tour. Because you see so much stuff happening. We were on tour and seeing so many things on the news, like killing, after killing, after killing of Black guys by the cops. You come into work heavy. So during hair and makeup became the time that we would talk about what hurts us about society and the world we live in. And the next thing we know, she came out with 'Formation,' which was so much like what was going on around us at the time.”

On the proudest moments in his career thus far:

“One of the best things that has ever happened was getting a contract with L’Oréal Paris. That changed my life, I would say. Also meeting Beyoncé and getting that call back from her. And the show is so cool. I’m on a TV show! And then, just being able to give back to my mom. She sacrificed so much for all of us just to live our dreams, and I’ll always be forever in debt to her because she was my OG. She was my Beyoncé before I had Beyoncé. My mother was the most beautiful woman in the world.”

And you’d be surprised to know the most requested Bey look:

“The 2017 Grammys. Everyone sort of still references that. It got the most eyes for some reason. For me this year, I think that was one of the most impactful things that I did, work-wise.”

Listen up people, this definitely won’t be the last time we hear from Sir John. You can expect to see him on your TV screen for Lifetime’sAmerican Beauty Staras a mentor.

We'll be tuned in and rooting for you, Sir John!

Written by Tweety Elitou

(Photo: Sir John via Instagram)

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